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History
- Committed to rules
- Amended on third reading 7031a
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.825
- Referred to local government
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Relates to the creation and recognition of architectural districts
In Assembly Committee · Local Governments · Sponsor Edward Braunstein
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the general municipal law, in relation to the creation and recognition of architectural districts
Purpose
To allow for the creation and recognition of architectural districts statewide.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of this bill amends the article heading of article 5-K of the general municipal law to read as "Historic Preservation and Architectural Districts."
Section 2 amends the general municipal law by adding a new section 119-ddd which states that the governing board of a county, city, town or village is hereby empowered to recognize and establish an architectural district or commission with such powers as are necessary to carry out all or any of the authority possessed by the municipality for such creation, as the governing legislative body deems appropriate.
Subdivision 2 of this section allows any resident of a municipality to submit a detailed plan setting forth architectural design characteristics such as, but not limited to, natural areas, aesthetics, and open spaces within the community. These plans shall include a rendering, drawing, sketch prepared to specifications that shows the arrangement, layout, and design of the proposed architectural district and shall be reviewed pursuant to subdivision three of this section.
Subdivision 3 of this section states that after receiving such plan, the municipality may hold a public hearing regarding a proposed creation and recognition of an architectural district. After holding the hearing, the governing board of the municipality may determine whether to recognize and establish such district and preserve the qualities it deems qualifies as such district.
Subdivision 4 of this section states that the governing board of the municipality in which an architectural district is created and recognized, pursuant to subdivision three of this section, shall determine the local agency or department that shall enforce the preservation of such district.
Section 3 states that this act shall take effect immediately.
Justification
Currently, neighborhoods can change their zoning to protect against overdevelopment or apply for historic district designation to protect the historic character of the neighborhood. Unfortunately, some neighborhoods have been unsuccessful in obtaining either type of protection due to the difficulty in getting an area zoned as a special district or because of the overly restrictive qualifications that are required for a historic district designation.
This bill would afford neighborhoods throughout the state an alternative path for maintaining the character of their neighborhood through a mechanism that is less stringent than is required to create special zoning districts or landmark designations. By allowing municipalities to establish architectural districts, residents will be
given another opportunity to retain the unique architectural integrity of their community that would otherwise be lost to development.
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
Minimal.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.